Handling and Nursing Reptiles - Australian Veterinary Association

“Hot rocks” are not recommended as heat sources. Snakes will tend to bask on them for extended
periods occasionally sustaining burns. This occurs more often in snakes that have recently
undergone ecdysis (sloughing). It has been shown that large reptiles rely primarily on radiant heat
sources for thermoregulation whereas smaller species tend to depend on convective sources. 3
Terrestrial or ground dwelling snakes such as Childrens pythons (Antaresia childreni) prefer
subfloor heating. Ambient room temperature should be stable and not place undue stress on the
thermogradient in the vivarium. Mistakes are commonly made when enclosures are kept in rooms
subject to temperature extremes.
2.1.2 Preferred Body Temperature (PBT)
The preferred body temperature is the temperature at which metabolism is optimal. The preferred
optimal temperature zone (POTZ) is the range that allows the reptile to achieve its PBT. 4
Preferred body temperature (PBT) varies with species. See Table 1 5,6 for the PBTs of commonly
kept Australian species.
Table 1. Preferred Body Temperature of Common Reptile Species
Species
PBT o C
Common Longneck Turtle (Chelodina spp.) 26
Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) 33
Children’s Python (Liasis childreni) 30-33
Water Python (Liasis fuscus) 34
Carpet/Diamond Python (Morelia spilota) 29-33
Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina) 33
Green Tree Python (Chondropython viridis) 32
Eastern Bluetongue Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) 28-32
Shingleback Lizard (Trachydosaurus rugosus) 33
Cunningham Skink (Egernia cunninghami) 33
Bearded Dragon (Pogona spp.) 35-39
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) 35
Gould’s Monitor (Varanus gouldii) 37
2.1.3 Thermostats
Some reptile owners do not recognise the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer. It
is important that they realise that the readings on most thermostats are only a guide. Thermostats
must be calibrated for individual enclosures using a thermometer.
2.1.4 Ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet light is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D 3 and calcium metabolism. Among the
commonly kept Australian species, eastern water dragons and bearded dragons need ultraviolet
supplementation when kept indoors (UVB 280-315 nm). Ultraviolet light sources need to be